Some facts on
Chingay.
In many primitive societies, a procession is one of the most basic
expressions of communal unity. In the history of Chinese tradition,
deafening drums, cymbals and gongs, dance and street gaiety have
always been part of the way the common people celebrate any big
occasions which included Lunar New Years, religious commemoration
and festivities.
There is no historical record of how the word Chingay originated.
But records show that as early as the 19th century, Chingay
appeared in South East Asia, beginning in Penang. The word was
coined from its phonetic Chinese equivalent, which means a
decorated float. It refers to a Chinese styled miniature stage or
float borne on the shoulders of performers. This miniature stage
depicts an important historical scene. It was probably the
beginning of the manual float. During New Year processions in old
China, such floats were carried through the streets on mens
shoulders while dancers, jugglers and magicians entertained the
crowds. Huge animals, both real and mythical took part in the
processions, which were essentially religious in nature and aimed
at honouring deities at the beginning of each new year.
In Penang, the Baba or Straits Born Chinese perpetuated the
practice. Some claimed Chingay originated even before the arrival
of Sir Francis Light. The procession was specifically Chinese and
religious: To honour the five deities who serve as guardians or
patron saints each for a different dialect group. In pre-war years,
the annual procession was a three-day fiesta which involved the
whole town. The main elements included giant triangular flags and
lanterns, which were the trademarks of Penangs Chingay The Giant
Flags Procession.
The high point in 1905 was the Chingay Decoration Competition.
Everyone tried to outwit the others with refreshing ways of
decorating the miniature stage, with some selecting the prettiest
girl to sit on the float. Even donkeys were used for the first time
to carry and pull the float, replacing men. The seed of motorised
float was hence planted.
With the advent of war, the Chingays in Penang quietened down and
eventually became localised religious celebrations.
But the traditions of Chingay spread further south to Johore. It
took on a new lease of life in the 60s and became part of the
Chinese New Year celebrations and a three-day festivity. Every
Chinese dialect group competed to put up the best item for their
group. Trucks carried generators and followed the procession in
order to provide mobile lighting for the procession.
The Johore procession had dragon and lion dances, and stilt walkers
as their highlight. With the clanging of cymbals and beating of
gongs and drums, it was bustling with noise and excitement.
